Jordi Gomez has revealed he jumped at the chance of a Premier League return with Sunderland.

Both Everton and newly-promoted QPR showed interest in the midfielder when his contract at Championship side Wigan ran out this summer, but the Black Cats were the first club to speak to Gomez’s agent.

And the Latics’ player of the year wasted no time in moving to Wearside on a Bosman free transfer.

“Sunderland was the first club to show an interest,” said the Spaniard, who could make his debut in this afternoon’s sold-out friendly against Darlington at Heritage Park.

“It wasn’t about the team. It was more about the manager and the style of play.

“It wasn’t 100% that I would leave Wigan, but it was a great chance to come here.

“Obviously when Wigan were relegated two years ago, you want to stay in the Premier League.

“Then the chance came this summer, so I took it.

“It’s a great club - a big club - and I want to do my best here.”

Gomez is relishing playing under Gus Poyet at the Stadium of Light, and clearly feels the passing game the Uruguayan wants to implement at Sunderland - which is similar to that employed by Wigan under former boss Roberto Martinez - will suit him down to the ground.

He said: “I think he [Poyet] is a very good manager, he showed that last season because the team was in a very bad situation, but they stayed up.

“I like the way he wants to play with his teams and I think it’s going to suit my style.

“Hopefully, it will get the best out of me and then it’s up to the manager if he plays me or not.”

Gomez is one of three summer arrivals on Wearside so far, with Costel Pantilimon and Billy Jones also signing on Bosman deals.

However Sunderland’s dealings in the transfer market are far from over, with Poyet and sporting director Lee Congerton working overtime to bring in more new recruits to fill the gaps left by the dozen departures over the close season.

Gomez added: “I think we’ve got some good players.

“Obviously there will be some new signings as well.

“But I think at the moment, we can do well.”

Among the targets Sunderland are chasing is Fiorentina left-back Marcos Alonso, who enjoyed a successful loan spell with the Black Cats in the second half of last season.

Sunderland are keen to bring Alonso back to Wearside, and are understood to be prepared to use centre-back Modibo Diakite as a makeweight in the deal, after he spent time on loan at the Serie A club last term.

But reports in Italy suggest Sunderland are not willing to meet Fiorentina’s asking price for Alonso, although talks are continuing.

Whether Alonso returns to the Stadium of Light or not, Sunderland need to sign a left-back before the season starts to fill the one position for which they do not currently have a specialist.

In the meantime, Poyet must decide whether to play a youngster in the problem position or ask Jones - who has been signed primarily as a right-back, but who can also operate on the left - to fill in during pre-season.